Japanese Prime Minister Resigns

Japan Begins Search for New PM After Fukuda's Resignation
By VOA News 01 September 2008

Yasuo Fukuda (File)

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has begun the process of selecting a successor to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda after his surprise resignation.

Party leaders met Tuesday morning to discuss a schedule for electing a new party president, who is all but assured of becoming the country's next prime minister.

LDP Secretary-General and former Foreign Minister Taro Aso is seen as a frontrunner. Aso, who narrowly lost to Mr. Fukuda in last year's race for prime minster, has not said if he will run.

Mr. Fukuda announced his resignation on Monday, after less than a year in office. He said late Monday that Japan needs new leadership to face parliament when it opens September 12.

The prime minister has had low approval ratings since taking office last September. The opposition-controlled upper house of parliament has blocked many of his promised reforms.